Donald Friend enlisted in June 1942. He served as gunner, in a labour battalion and briefly in army intelligence. In March 1945 he was appointed an Official War Artist between 23.5.45 and 10.9.45 and served in Labuan, Morotai and Balikpapan. This work depicts sailors on leave outside Young & Jackson's Hotel, corner of Flinders and Swanston Streets, Melbourne.